Seattle City Light

Also known as the Hannukkah Eve Windstorm, this weather event caused wide-spread power outages and significant damage throughout the City of Seattle and the surrounding areas.

Reports filed by City Light to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Records created and received by Bagshaw's office during her tenure as Seattle City Councilmember.

Correspondence, reports, applications, permits, petitions, and contracts relating to construction, condemnations, street use, franchises, and rights of way. This series is an artificial collection arranged alphabetically by subject.

Charts showing daily weather and water data at the Cedar Falls Power Plant.

Records from a committee formed to provide comments and recommendations to Seattle City Light regarding electric rate increases.

Notebooks and binders covering a variety of issues relevant to nearly all core functions of City government. Most of the notebooks were compiled for City Council members to provide background information for pending legislation. A large number of the notebooks are from Tim Hill, Jeanette Williams, and George Benson.

Correspondence, reports, articles, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, and advertisements relating to the Skagit River, power rates, and City Light advertisements.

Meeting minutes, agendas, and other advisory board materials.

Prints of infrared aerial photographic survey showing heat and energy loss throughout Seattle. The flight includes 1250 images. Aerial Thermal Study.

Narrative and statistical reports detailing the activities, projects, and programs of Seattle's public power utility. The reports provide broad outlines of the development of hydroelectric power systems and the extension of lighting services in the City.

Brochures, flyers, and other publications published by City Light. Also includes ephemera and Skagit postcards.

The survey was conducted by Seattle City Light in 1984 to gather economic and energy use characteristics of large industrial customers in the Seattle area. The survey, carried out by the Load Forecasting Section, covered two concerns: energy costs and plant characteristics, and economic characteristics. Among the customers surveyed were Bethlehem Steel, Olumpic Foundry, Seattle Times, Rainier Brewery, Aitron, and Darigold.

Various publications produced by City Light.

Summary personnel information for City Light employees. Includes name, job title, pay rate, dates of job changes or personnel action, and address. Arranged alphabetically.

This series is comprised of prints and represents a small portion of the work done by Seattle City Light to electrify Seattle. One hundred and seventeen prints are available for download on our digital platform; this includes 54 Real Estate Services photos of identified addresses. For a comprehensive look at the work of Seattle City Light, see the SCL negative collection (1204-01).

Drawings of South Lake Union Steam Plant, substations, dams, manhole covers and other public utility projects of City Light.

Charts, figures, statistics, performance curves, schematics, diagrams, cost estimates, computations, graphs, property agreements, and reservoir capacity figures on the Skagit River Power Development Project and the Cedar Falls Power Plant. Includes data for the Gorge Powerhouse and Diablo Dam.

Documents related to the City Light Review Panel founded in 2011

Aerial photographs of the Skagit River in British Columbia taken prior to increasing the water height of Ross Lake Reservoir which resulted from completing step 3 construction of Ross Dam. The 70 exposures were shot from 12,000 feet by Aero Surveys, Ltd. of Vancouver, B.C. The photographs document the course of the river, topography of the area, and vegetation adjacent the river.

Slides documenting the development of City Light's public power facilities including dams, power houses, transmission lines, substations, and methods of wiring.

Hearing Examiner records relating to discrimination complaints.

Monthly publication published by City Light and the Employee Association with departmental and employee news. Illustrated. The City Light Employees' Association (CLEA), began in 1937 as a non-profit organization administered by volunteer employees for the employees of City Light. Its purpose is to promote employee morale by offering activities and discount benefits to its members.

Photographs of proposed Grand Coulee dam site on the Columbia River and surrounding area.

Correspondence, memoranda, reports, notes, City Council briefings, and press clippings relating to issues before the Seattle City Council during Compton's tenure. Major topics of interest to Compton were technology and public safety.

Correspondence to and from the City Attorney. Includes requests from City agencies for legal opinions and advice.

Register of guests and visitors to the Engineer's Camp during the construction of the Diablo Dam. Contains signatures, the city or country from which the guest was visiting, and the date of the visit. Most of the guests were from Seattle or Portland, but some did visit from Chicago, Washington DC, the U.S.S.R., and Japan.

Records relating to City Light electricity distribution and transmission planning.

The minutes and miscellaneous files of Electrical Crafts Apprenticeship committee of Seattle City Light's Apprenticeship program, as well as curriculm for this specific program.

Logbooks detailing upkeep and maintenance of the Georgetown Steam Plant.

Photographs documenting the construction of a powerhouse and diversion dam at the Gorge Dam on the Skagit River.

Correspondence, reports, legal records, speeches, and project files relating to early City Light activities. Key topics include the Skagit hydroelectric projects, the merger with Puget Sound Power and Light Company, and the Seattle-Rainier Valley Street Railway. These records were originally acquired by the University of Washington prior to creation of the Seattle Municipal Archives, with this series identified at UW as Accession 33-4.

Records from Harrell's office during his tenure on City Council.

Records documenting Michael Hildt's work on the Seattle City Council from 1978-1985; records address issues such as conservation and desegregation and include information on Hildt's work with the Pike Place Market and his work with various committees, including the Energy Committee and Urban Development and Housing Committee.

The minutes of the Hydroelectric Machinist Committee of Seattle City Light's apprenticeship program, as well as the machinists apprenticeship program standards.

Independent audits of City agencies and programs conducted by external accounting firms. Records are primarily financial audits of public utilities.

The Joint Apprenticeship committee oversees the subcommitees of Seattle City Light's Apprenticeship program.

Minutes of the Joint Labor and Management Committee of Seattle City Light's Apprenticeship program.

The Minutes for the Laborers Apprentice Advisory Board of Seattle City Light's Apprenticeship Program

Black and white photographs of the construction of City Light's steam plant on Lake Union in 1914.

Opinions issued by the City Attorney at the request of various City officials regarding public utility issues. Included are Seattle's water system, refuse disposal, electricity, and the street railway and transit systems.

Correspondence, memoranda, reports, studies, and staff reports related to issues that come before the City Council for consideration. Also includes copies of City Council work programs and policy planning agendas. A large portion of the material relates to regional planning issues, especially water, electrical power, transportation, and governance.

Newsletters from the Lighting Lab. The newsletters provide information about the lab, such as event schedules, news updates regarding technology developments in associated fields, and class schedules that were taught at the lab or at other lab locations across the Pacific Northwest.

Records from Mosqueda's office during her time serving on Seattle City Council.

Monthly publication for City Light employees.

Photograph albums, 1919-1936, illustrating the planning and construction of Gorge and Diablo Dams and their respective power houses on the Skagit River.

Records from Jane Noland's tenure as Seattle City Councilmember.

Records created and received by O'Brien's office during his tenure as Seattle City Councilmember.

Brief abstracts of ordinances relating to Water and Lighting Departments. Includes ordinance number, date and summary. Covers ordinances 487 to 22011.

Payroll ledger for work on City Light Skagit dams.

Records from Revelle's office during his time on Seattle City Council.

Photographs documenting the construction of Ross Dam on the Skagit River, 1938-1948.

Records from Sawant's office during her tenure on Seattle City Council.

Reports to the Superintendent from branches and divisions of City Light

Scrapbooks containing newspaper, magazine, and other advertisements from Seattle City Light.

Annual reports for Municipal Light and Power Plant and System, Lighting Department, and Seattle City Light. Includes financial reports as well as comparative reports on highlights of years. Lighting Department annual reports contain historical reviews, illustrations, and statistical information. Also includes the 1977 and 1978 annual reports for the City Light Office of Conservation.

Miscellaneous history, standards, curriculum, hiring processes of the Apprenticeship program at Seattle City Light.

Records regarding a research project for generating electricity

Planning records for Seattle's Boundary Dam.

Planning records for City Light's Capital Improvement Program

Records of Superintendent Randall W. Hardy and other staff of Seattle City Light .

Digital images of Seattle City Light including personnel, elected and appointed officials, hydroelectric facilities, solar energy, and public events.

Records relating to City Light's community outreach efforts.

Records of a proposed hydroelectric project on the Skagit River

Planning records for a coal plant in Creston, Washington

Administrative records of the City Light Branch that interacts directly with customers

The Seattle City Light Department History File, 1894-1972, consists of correspondence, typed histories, reports, newspaper clippings, and pamphlets related to the history of Seattle City Light.

Distribution Branch Directors' Records

Scrapbooks assembled by a City Light employee, containing photographs, newspaper clippings, and other ephemera related to the organization and its employees.

Survey of City of Seattle employees

Engineering reports regarding power transmission and distribution.

Records on Women in the Trades and Equal Opportunity measures for the Seattle City Light Apprenticeship Program.

Power plant maintenance records.

Images of damage to transmission poles and transformers caused by auto accidents and weather-related incidents.

Records concerning floods and flood control near Seattle City Light hydroelectric projects.

Financial records of Seattle Lighting Department

Slides related to the development of public power in Seattle.

Data from City Light hydroelectric projects.

Photographs of Masonry Dam construction, including construction workers and equipment, dam site, clearcutting, trains and railroads, and bridges.

Planning files for a Seattle celebration of the Millennium.

Internal weekly publication containing project and personnel news. Also included are weekly electricity generation and usage statistics.

Financial reports for electric energy transactions.

Records concerning Seattle electric power production and related topics

Records of the division that manages Seattle City Light properties

Radio talks and public presentations related to public power.

Records relating to power management and regional power associations.

Records of organizations concerned with electric power planning in the western United States.

Correspondence, ordinance copies, and court documents relating to the condemnation of property in the Skagit River area for use in power and water supply development.

Records of Seattle City Light's hydroelectric projects on the Skagit River

Financial records of the Skagit Railway

Records relating to the Skagit Youth Camp run by Seattle City Light, 1991-1996, including memoranda, reports, promotional materials, and meeting minutes. Camper recruitment, program proposals, finances, and staff are among the subjects covered.

Snowpack data

Writings and publications regarding J. D. Ross

Records documenting the administration, activities and projects of Seattle City Light

Video and slide show production files

Climatological data and studies.

Hydrographic reports of the Cedar River

Financial records of Seattle Lighting Department

Records of the Seattle Department of Engineering consisting of correspondence between the Department and grantees of utility franchises. Also included are agreements, maps, drawings, and photographs.

Seattle City Light agency history, including files from longtime superintendent J.D. Ross.

Mid-20th century records from the Seattle Lighting Department, now known as Seattle City Light.

Records promoting a program that assisted low-income households with weatherization services.

Records of select committees chaired by Teresa Mosqueda.

Records of an international commission.

Weekly newsletter serving personnel and their families at Diablo and Newhalem. Includes news of social activities, school sports and activities, cultural events, and items related to the comings and goings of employees and their families.

Scrapbook with clippings and photos relating to Seattle City Light's Georgetown and Lake Union steam plants.

Correspondence, memoranda, reports, and reference materials relating to Benson and topics of particular interest to him. Major subjects include parks and recreation, traffic and transportation, and the Westlake Mall Project, the Downtown Seattle Transit Project, the University District Transportation Program, the Waterfront Streetcar, gun control, land use, and solid waste disposal.

Minutes, agendas, reports, memoranda, budget materials, and distribution lists for group established to discuss environmental hazards. The group compiled and disseminated information on hazards, such as electromagnetic field radiation, and generated reports on its findings.

Records from the committee during Pedersen's tenure as chair.

Agendas, correspondence, staff reports, and draft legislation related to the issues and work of the Utilities and Environmental Management Committee.

Compilation of water rights documentation for Seattle City Light projects.